Class Note 1964
With the College’s 250th anniversary and our 55th reunion this year, we should also recognize the 123rd anniversary of the Dartmouth Educational Association (DEA). This organization is very much in keeping with the spirit of Dartmouth’s founding. The DEA is a Massachusetts not-for-profit organized by eight alumni “to provide a source of loans to students at Dartmouth, who for temporary lack of funds would otherwise be unable to complete their courses.” The loans are interest-free for undergraduate students. Association funds come from annual dues, life membership fees, specific gifts, interest earned on loans, investments, and savings accounts. Twenty-four of our classmates have contributed to the association; 22 of us are life members. I emailed those still with us to ask them why they contribute. Here are comments from those who replied.
Kenneth Sagat: “I contributed some time ago as a very modest but targeted way of giving back since I was fortunate enough to receive financial aid from the College—both direct scholarship and loans.”
Jim Harris: “I am a life member of the DEA. I did so because I believe in education; after all, that is why I went to Dartmouth to begin with. Contributing to the association seemed to be a way that I could contribute, to help Dartmouth accomplish her overarching raison d’etre, and to make me feel good about myself.”
Chris Palmer: “For me, my contribution is a habit. Dartmouth would not have been possible for me without scholarship money. I was grateful for the opportunity to attend Dartmouth then, and I am happy that I can help others receive that same wonderful opportunity today.”
Charles Fewell: “I became a lifetime member years ago because I firmly believe that Dartmouth transformed my life and in many ways opened the world to me. I firmly believe that every student who is capable of doing the work should have that opportunity.”
Ed Williams: “The DEA struck me as a firmly established and well-run volunteer organization worthy of support in its efforts to help students benefit from being able to attend Dartmouth, which did so much for me.”
Jim Wright: “Susan Wright and I are each life members of the DEA. We are pleased to be part of this important source of support for our students.”
Newell Grant: “The DEA has a longer history than the welter of College funding requests, and speaks to the tribulations that life can inflict on students. Without incessant emails or calls for support, its support of students already there who have unexpected needs is the heart of helping others.”
Bob Parkinson: “I went to Dartmouth on a near full scholarship made up of scholarship funds, loans, and required work in Thayer. It took several years to pay off the loan. To me it was the right thing for me to do, to provide what I could to those going to Dartmouth with financial need through the years.”
I encourage classmates to learn more about this worthy organization.
Errata: In my last article the information for the two “Eds” was reversed.
—Harvey Tettlebaum, 56295 Little Moniteau Road, California, MO 65018; (573) 761-1107; dartsecy64@gmail.com
